Federal election date announced

Prime Minister Gillard has, in a very unusual step, announced the date of the Federal election this year very early, as Sept 14th. Usually the PM will announce an election only about a month before the date.

The Prime Minister explained that she did not announce the date today to start the nation's ''longest election campaign''.

"It should be clear to all which are the days of governing and which are the days of campaigning," she said.

Ms Gillard said that last year Australians' patience was tried by "months of boiling hot political debate with most of it somewhat ironically about global warming".

"In 2013, I am determined their patience is not tried again," she said. Read more

Must say, she's looking pretty confident these days. Abbott will now have to come up with the goods instead of simply trying to tear down the gov in a bid to force an early election.